Laserfiche WebLink
. Engaging volunteers, interns, and community members to support providers by creating structured <br />opportunities, pathways for involvement, and training to strengthen long-term workforce capacity. <br />This goal focuses on strengthening the professional workforce engaged in the local homelessness response system. <br />Shared learning also contributes to broader collaboration and communication across the system, reinforcing efforts <br />outlined in Goal 1. <br />Goat 3: Prevent episodes of homelessness whenever possibte. <br />Preventing homelessness is both humane and financially responsible, Studiesl,2 show it is less costly to prevent a <br />housing crisis through diversion and/or eviction prevention, than to assist individuals and families after they become <br />homeless. ln addition to the financial benefit, keeping individuals and families stably housed avoids the trauma of <br />homelessness and reduces the demand on emergency services and housing programs. Kitfitas County already <br />supports prevention through diversion, and eviction prevention efforts, but coordination and communication can be <br />strengthened. <br />Kittitas County's approach to achieving this goal focuses on improving coordination and early intervention through <br />community partnerships. Prevention must be seen as a shared responsibility across the system, including non-profit <br />providers, public agencies, private organizations, and landlords. Partnerships with the private sector, particularly <br />property owners and managers, are an important part of this effort, and creating opportunities to engage landlords <br />as active participants in prevention is a priority. <br />The county will pursue this goal through the following strategies: <br />lmprove coordination of existing prevention resources across the community, with an emphasis on aligning <br />diversion funds, strengthening data coordination, and supporting shared evaluation of outcomes. <br />Strengthen partnerships with private organizations and landlords to increase early identification of <br />households at risk of homelessness and promote collaborative prevention efforts. <br />Expand and support diversion practices that resolve housing crises without system entry, including <br />consistent referral pathways a nd cross-sector collaboration, <br />lncrease public awareness of available prevention resources and promote early help-seeking by individuals <br />and families at risk of homelessness <br />Goa[ 4: Prioritize assistance based on the greatest barriers to housing stabitity and the greatest risk <br />of harm. <br />lndividuals with the greatest barriers to housing stability and the highest risk of harm often face the most complex <br />challenges, chronic health conditions, severe behavioral health needs, generational poverty, or histories of trauma. <br />Many are also the least well served by traditional systems and may not consistently engage with available services. <br />Ensuring that the community prioritizes assistance for these individuals requires clear definitions, strong <br />partnerships, and shared understanding across sectors. <br />Kitlitas County recognizes that refining prioritization practices and defining "high risk" will require further community <br />discussion and collaboration. This work must balance equity, safety, and system capacity, while responding flexibly <br />1 National League of Cities: Eviction Prevention as a Tool for Cities <br />2 Urban lnstitute: Cost Effectiveness of Eviction Prevention Programs <br />a <br />a <br />a <br />Page | 14